Apparatus for the transport of shuttles

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the transport of shuttles in looms and the simultaneous picking of weft threads by means of an endless chain conveyor carrying the shuttles and traversing a fixed guide means. A covering belt covers the parts of the chain traversing the space of the weaving process. A disconnectable means is provided on each shuttle for the joining of the shuttle with the respective carrier links.

United States Patent 91 Zabrodsky et a1.

11] 3,729,029 51 Apia 2 1, 197? APPARATUS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF SHUTTLES [75] Inventors: Zdenek Zabrodsky, Usti nad Orlici; Oldrich Crhonek; Jiri Sebela, both of Brno; Milos Mares, Usti nad Orlici, all of Czechoslovakia [73] Assignee: Vyzkummy ustav bavlnarsky, Usti nad Orlici, Czechoslovakia [22] Filed: Apr. 22, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 136,335

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 28, 1970 Czechoslovakia ..PV2935 [52] US. Cl ..l39/12 [51] Int. Cl. ..D03d 47/26 [58] Field of Search ..l39/1l, l2, l3, 15, I

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,738,810 3/1956 Varkonyi et al ..l39/l26 manila .1

FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 1,070,491 6/ 1967 Great Britain 1 39/ 125 188,389 1/1966 U.S.S.R. ..l39/12 OTHER PUBLICATIONS 1,019,619 German Pub. of 11-1957 to Dietzsch 139-12.

Primary Examinerl-lenry S. Jaudon Att0rneyArthur O. Klein [5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus for the transport of shuttles in looms and the simultaneous picking of weft threads by means of an endless chain conveyor carrying the shuttles and traversing a fixed guide means. A covering belt covers the parts of the chain traversing the space of the weaving process. A disconnectable means is provided on each shuttle for the joining of the shuttle with the respective carrier links.

1 1 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures iilll Patented April 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG, 2

Patnted April 24, 1973 Patented April 24,1973 3,729,029

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

Patented April 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 2M6 m a 0 km N WWE m wB mm n N AWHM A I mm w M ma 1 Patented April 24-, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet g,

APPARATUS FOR THE TRANSPORT OF SHUTTLES This invention relates to an apparatus for the transport by means of an endless belt or chain of shuttles in weaving looms with continuous picking of weft threads.

Multi-shed weaving looms, which allow the productivity of the weaving process to be further increased by means of improved technology, are very complex pieces of machinery with high requirements as to the operational reliability of every single constituent device. One of these devices is the mechanism for driving the shuttles in the weaving process and for transporting the shuttles back to their original position.

One of the known systems, for example, uses, for the driving of the shuttles in the weaving process, a system of electromagnets moving crosswise under the warp and carrying the shuttle through the shed by means of electromagnetic attraction. Another system uses swinging laminae shifting the shuttle ahead by contacting its inclined surface while simultaneously beating up the weft.

The above systems make use of mechanisms for moving the shuttles outside the weaving process which are different from those used for moving the shuttles within the weaving process. Although these embodiments fulfill their function, they have the disadvantage that every point of transfer of the shuttles from one device to another tends to be the source of defects which impair the synchronization of the entire weaving process.

Circular looms applying the above systems preferably use a further principle, which is based upon a system of rollers to drive the shuttles. These looms have the advantage, as compared with conventional looms, that the shuttles do not continuously return along a different path but instead circulate in a circular path in the weaving process.

The driving mechanism for circular looms must be especially designed with a view to the fact that the alternative drive of the shuttles is by means of the rollers in the shed and is by means of special means outside the shed. Y

The apparatus of the invention, which transports the shuttles of the weaving looms with a simultaneous picking of weft threads, insures a smooth run of the shuttles both through the shed and outside it, and moreover also insures a smooth transition of the shuttles from one driving mode to the other. Apparatus according to the invention comprises an endless belt carrying the shuttles in a fixed guide path a part of which traverses the area or space of the weaving process. The endless belt consists of linked carriers with shuttles and ofjoining links. A part of the guide path, traversing the space of the weaving process, is covered by a covering belt. Each shuttle is adapted for travelling along the covering belt by means of a vertical roller accommodated in the carrier link opposite a recess of the shuttles, and another roller accommodated in the shuttle. Each shuttle is also provided with disconnectable means for being joined with carrier links outside the space of the weaving area.

One embodiment of the apparatus of the invention comprises disconnectable means consisting of a shiftable conveyor accommodated in a carrier link and projecting into an opening in the shuttle provided with an inclined surface. In the lower part, the shiftable conveyor is provided with a recess projecting into a starting guide disposed in the space of the weaving process. The starting guide is arranged in the bottom of the guide path and has its entering ends projecting out of it. The shiftable conveyor can be secured in its outer position by means of a resilient safety member fixed to the carrier to the carrier link. The shiftable conveyor is advantageously accommodated behind the vertical roller in the direction of the carrier link.

In a further embodiment, the vertical roller is vertically adjustable in the carrier link in accordance with its entrance on the covering belt. The vertical roller is preferably accommodated in a rocking cradle provided both with a pressure roller, pressed against the bottom of the guide path by a pressure spring, and with a thrust nose. In this embodiment the connection of the shuttle with the carrier link on the guide path outside the space of the weaving process is effected by means of a ball safety member.

Before the shuttles enter the space of the weaving process, a lowered bottom is formed in the bottom of the guide path for the pressure roller on a cradle serving to'let the vertical roller down. This adaptation allows the vertical roller to enter smoothly under the covering belt. For the connection of the carrier link with the shuttle, a tunnel is used at the exit from the space of the weaving process, the height of the tunnel decreasing smoothly in the direction of the movement of the endless belt.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier links and the connecting links are joined by means of connecting pins which also support horizontal rollers rolling in the guide path. In the arched parts of the guide path there is arranged a securing mechanism which prevents the shuttles from becoming loosened from the carrier links at higher speeds.

The advantages of the apparatus for transporting the shuttles in accordance with the invention reside in the fact that the circular movement of the shuttles is insured by means of one single rotary mechanism designed for the direct conveying of-the shuttles outside the weaving process and their indirect drive during the weaving process. Two mechanisms of the known embodiments have been replaced by one, thus eliminating places of transferring shuttles from one device to the other, which tend to be the source of defects. Also the synchronization with further devices such as a metering device of the weaving loom is insured. The path and, consequently, also the time of the travel of the shuttles outside the weaving cycle is longer than within the weaving cycle, thus creating more favorable time conditions for filling the weft.

Further advantages and features of the invention will be more fully explained in the following detailed description read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG.1 is a plan view of a first illustrative apparatus for transporting the shuttles in accordance with the invention, the shuttle-transporting apparatus being shown in conjunction with a fragmentarily illustrated circular loom;

FIG.2 is a partial section along the line 22 in FIGJ with a tunnel for changing the height of the shuttles;

F103 is a longitudinal section of the carrier link and of the shuttle in an embodiment with a rocking cradle and a pressure roller;

FIGAI is a cross-section of a carrier link and a shuttle provided with a ball safety member;

FIG.5 is a longitudinal section of a carrier link and a shuttle in an embodiment with a shiftable conveyor controlled by a starting guide path;

FIG.6 is a section of a carrier link as illustrated in FIG.5 along the line 6-6 of FIG.5;

FIG.7 is a plan view of the driving and securing mechanism in the circular part of the guide means of both embodiments of the apparatus;

FIG.8 is a section of the driving and securing mechanism as illustrated in FIG.7, the section being taken along the line 88 in FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in vertical cross section through the shuttle in the shed of the loom;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section showing the shuttles passing through the warp shed in the embodiment of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the shuttles passing through the warp shed of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Turning now to FIGS.1 and 2, there is there shown an apparatus for transporting the shuttles according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In such construction there is provided a closed guide means 7 wherein the carrier links 1 travel, links 1 being joined by means of connecting links 11 to form an endless chain. The guide means 7 consists of two straight parts of which one traverses the space of the weaving process, and two arched or curved parts. The straight and the arched parts of the guide means 7 form a closed circuit, as shown in FIG.1 The carrier links ll carry shuttles 3 on their upper parts. The endless belt, consequently, is formed by alternatingly joined carrier links 1 and connecting links 11. The lengths of the carrier link 1 and of the connecting link 11 are identical and correspond approximately with the length of the shuttles 3. The carrier links 1 and the connecting links 11 are joined by means of vertical connecting pins 9 which allow tipping with respect to one another in the horizontal plane. Each connecting pin 9 supports a roller 2 the circumference of which is guided in the groove of the inner recess of the guide means 7. Each carrier link 1 is provided with a longitudinal opening therethrough wherein a vertical roller 12 is accommodated (FIG.3); roller 12 is vertically adjustable with respect to the entrance to a covering belt 18.

In the first illustrative embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, as more particularly shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 10, the loom has a shuttle guiding tunnel 16, of which the entry side or portion is designated 16a and the exit side or portion is designated 16b. Upper and lower guide means are provided, the upper guide means being designated 10 in FIG. 1. Warp 44, from a warp beam (not shown) travels through the shed which is formed by heddles 35 (FIG. 9). The loom is provided with a fast or fixed reed 5, and with a rotary reed 30. Fabric 32 formed by the loom is wound up upon a cloth beam 34, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment of FIG.3, a cradle 13 is pivoted on a cross pin 22, said cradle being provided with a thrust nose 19 at the end of one arm and with a swingable vertical roller 12 at the end of the other arm. Between the said roller 12 and the pin 22 a pressure roller is threaded on the arm of the cradle 13, said roller being pressed against the bottom surface 71 of the guide means 7 by a pressure or torque spring 21 anchored in the carrier link 1. The carrier link I carrying the shuttle 3, wherein the roller 3a is accommodated, has a half-circular recess 1 opposite the said roller 3a. Opposite the vertical roller 12 in the lower part of the shuttle 3 there is disposed a recess 3'. The shuttle 3 also carries a roller safety member 6 opposite the carrier link 1, said safety member serving to secure the position of the shuttle 3 on the carrier link 1 during the transport outside the weaving process, as shown in FIG.4.

In the space of the weaving process the abovereferred to covering belt 18 is fixed to the outer walls of the guide means 7, thus enclosing the space within the guide means 7 against dust, the rollers 3a of the shuttles 3 and the vertical rollers 12 of the carrier links 1 riding on belt 18.

Before the entrance into the space of the weaving process, the bottom surface 71 of the guide means 7 inclines downwardly, thus forming a lowered bottom 72 for the pressure roller 20. The bottom surface is provided with a further, upwardly inclined part which returns to the level of the bottom 71 of the guide means 7. Before the entrance into the space of the weaving process there is also arranged a tunnel 16 the lower part of which is formed by the guide means 7. The height of the tunnel 16 increases continuously in the course of the travel from the size corresponding with the position of the shuttle 3 over the carrier link 1 until it reaches the height corresponding with the position in the shed. At the exit of this space a tunnel 16 is again arranged through which the endless belt and shuttles 3 pass. The starting height of the tunnel 16 corresponding with the position of the shuttle 3 over the carrier link 1 decreases continuously, until it reaches the height corresponding with the position of the shuttle 3 on the carrier link 1 during the transport, as shown in FIG.2 The tunnel 16, consequently, serves to change the vertical position of the shuttle 3.

In FIGS.7 and 8 a sprocket 27 is shown journalled on the axis of the circular part of guide means 7, the teeth of the sprocket projecting into the carrier links 1 and the connecting links 1 1. On the sprocket 27 there is arranged a mechanism 8 for securing the shuttles 3 in the arched parts of the guide means 7 against becomeing loosened from the carrier links 1 under high peripheral velocities (FIGS.7 and 8). The securing mechanism 8 comprises securing flaps 8 arranged radially around the hub of the sprocket 27 and swingably accommodated on pins 23. The securing flaps 8 carry control rollers 24 and a fixable stop 26, and are subjected to the pressure of adjustable springs 25. At the inner side of the circular part of the guide means 7 a half-circular bridge 17 is rigidly arranged opposite to the control rollers 24.

The apparatus for the transport of shuttles in an embodiment of the present invention provided with carrier links 1 provided with cradles 13 as in FIG.3 operates as follows: An endless belt consisting of carrier links 1 and connecting links 11 is driven in a guide mean 7 by a drive unit (not shown) by means of a sprocket 27 the teeth of which mesh with the endless belt, thus imparting to it a movement in the direction marked with an arrow in FIG.1 For better understanding the circulation of one shuttle 3 will be described, said shuttle being placed in the tunnel 16 before the entrance to the space of the weaving process at the starting point. In this position the shuttle 3 is secured on the carrier link by means of a roller safety member 6 (FIGA) The vertical roller 12 on the cradle 13 projects to the bottom 71 of the guide means 7, into the recess 3 of the shuttle 3 by means of the action of the pressure roller exposed to the pressure of spring 21. At the same time, the riding roller 3a of the shuttle 3 is in the half-circular recess 1 of the carrier link 1.

After the loom has been turned on, the carrier link 1 with the shuttle 3 rides on the sloping part of the bottom 71 of the guide means 7 forming the lower part of the tunnel 16. Simultaneously the pressure roller 20 is pressed by the spring 21 first of all to the downwardly inclined part and then to the lowered bottom 72 of the guide means 7. The pressure roller20 draws the vertical roller 12 on an arm of the cradle 13 down, under the upper surface of the carrier link 1 and the other arm of the cradle 13 shifts the thrust nose 19 over the carrier link 1, in order to push the shuttle 3 for a short time. Simultaneously, the ball safety member 6 is unlocked and the shuttle 3 is pushed over the carrier link 1, as shown in FIG.3. Now the vertical roller 12 rides under the covering belt 18 while being lifted into the working position by one arm of the cradle 13 in consequence of the movement of the pressure roller 20 along the rising inclined surface of the lowered bottom 72 under the simultaneous lowering of the other arm with the thrust nose 19.

The movement of the thrust nose 19 must be timed so as to be under the level of the upper surface of the carrier link 1 before coming to the covering belt 18. This arrangement allows the vertical roller 12 to travel smoothly under the covering belt 18. Throughout the whole time of the weaving process the vertical roller 12 rolls on the lower side of the covering belt 18 over which it presses upon the roller 3a, which also rolls upon the covering belt 18 and upon the warp threads and pushes the shuttle 3. The shuttle 3 slides over the rigid reed (not shown) of the loom and over the upper guide with its rear and upper wall, which allows the roller 3a and the vertical roller 12 to be in contact under a constant angle.

After the shuttle 3 has left the weaving process, it is pushed to the carrier link 1 during the passage through the lowering part of the tunnel 11$, while being secured in the lower position by the ball safety member 6. During the circulation of the shuttle 3 on the carrier link 1 to the starting position again, the roller 3a and the vertical roller 12 are next to one another in a half-circular recess 1 and a recess 3', thus securing the stability of the shuttle 3 on the carrier link 1.

When the carrier link 1 with the shuttle 3 enter the arched part of the guide means {7 (FIGS.7 and 8), the control roller 24 rides from the half-circular bridge 17 and the securing roller 8' of the securing mechanism 8 which has been lifted is being pressed by the adjustable spring 25 on the shuttle 3, preventing it from leaving the guide path 7 even under high working speeds. As soon as the shuttle 3 has passed the arched part of the guide means 7, the control roller 24 rolls on the halfcircular bridge 17 again, swings out the securing flap 8' and the shuttle 3 continues its travel along the straight part of the guide path 7. The securing flap 8' rides in the lifted position over the next shuttle 3 usually after having been rotated by 180.

The second arched part of the guide means 7 can be arranged in the same way as that above described or in a similar way.

After the shuttle 3 has passed through the second arched part of the guide means 7, the shuttle 3 gets into the starting position again and the whole cycle is repeated. Thus, each of the shuttles 3 circulates in the guide means 7. During the transition of the shuttles 3 through the arched part of the guide means 7, the filling of the shuttles with a required length of weft can be carried out by means of a device (not shown).

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS.5, 6, and 11 in such FIGS. the parts which are similar to those in the first described embodiment are designated by the same reference characters. The carrier links 1 and the shuttles 3 on the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 are adapted for use with a vertically shiftable conveyor 4. The carrier link 1 is provided with a vertical roller 12 and a half-circular recess 1' for the roller 30 which is disposed in the front part of the shuttle 3. Opposite the vertical roller 12, there is arranged a recess 3 in the shuttle 3. In the rear part of the carrier link 1 a vertically shiftable conveyor 4 is accommodated, conveyor 4 projecting with its level into the inclined recess in the rear part of the shuttle 3, while the shiftable conveyor 4 is arranged behind the vertical roller 12, as considered in the direction of the movement of the carrier link 1. The lower part of the shiftable conveyor 4 is arranged so as to project into the starting guide 14, which vertically controls the shuttle 3. The starting guide 14 begins before the entrance to the space of the weaving process where it rises over the bottom 71 of the guide path 7, whereas in that space it runs under the said bottom 71 of the guide path 7. In the outstretched position, the shiftable conveyor 4 is secured by a resilient safety member 15 meshing with its recess.

The apparatus of FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 for transporting the shuttles in an embodiment with shiftable conveyors 4 operates as follows:

An endless belt consisting of carrier links 1 and connecting links 11 is driven in the guide means 7 by a drive unit (not shown) by means of a sprocket 27, the teeth of which mesh with the endless belt and set it moving. For better understanding again, the circulation of one of the shuttles 3 will be described. Such shuttle is placed before the area of the weaving process at the beginning of the starting guide 14 in the starting position. In this position, the shuttle 3 is somewhat lifted over the carrier link 1 by means of the shiftable conveyor 4, and a gap is maintained between the roller 3a and the vertical roller 12. As soon as the loom is started, the shiftable conveyor 4 rides with its recess on the starting guide 14, while the resilient safety member 15 is unlocked after having contacted a projection (not shown). At the moment when the recess in the shiftable conveyor 4 gets to the inclined part of the starting guide 14, the covering belt 18 must be over the roller 12. During the following movement, the recess in the lower part of the shiftable conveyor follows the starting guide 14 and the shiftable conveyor 4 is pushed out of the shuttle 3. At the same time, the roller 3a and the vertical roller 12 get closer to one another and start rolling on the covering belt 18. In such a way there is a gradual lowering of the shuttle 3 from the lifted position on the covering belt 18 by means of the shiftable conveyors 4,said conveyor being then pushed under the level of the upper surface of the carrier link 1. When the carrier link 1 with the shuttle 3 and the conveyor 4 move into the position at which the beginning of the covering belt 18 has reached the front edge of the shiftable conveyor 4, the shiftable conveyor 4 must be already pushed under the level of the upper surface of the carrier link 1. Throughout the entire time of the weaving process, the vertical roller 12 rolls along the lower edge of the covering belt 18 through which it presses upon the roller 30 which also rolls on the covering belt 18 and on the warp threads, while pushing the shuttle 3. The shuttle 3 slides with its rear and upper walls over the rigid reed (not shown) of the loom and over the upper guide, so that the contact of the roller 3a and of the vertical roller 12 is insured under a constant angle.

When the shuttle has left the weaving process, at the spot where the covering belt 18 terminates, the recess of the shiftable conveyor 4 rides on the rising part of the starting guide 14, which is a mirror image of the starting guide 14 in advance of the entrance to the area of the weaving process in F105. The shifting of the shiftable conveyor 4 into the recess of the shuttle 3 now begins. ln this position, the shuttle 3 with an inclined recess for the shiftable conveyor assumes a slightly backward position with respect to the carrier link 1. The level of the shiftable conveyor 4 rides on the inclined surface of the recess, the carrier 3 is pushed forwards, while being lifted with little play over the carrier link 1. In this lifted position the resilient safety member 15 falls into the recess of the shiftable conveyor 4, thus locking the position of the shuttle 3 during the whole circulation time on the guide 7 until it enters the area of the weaving process. Thus the carrier link 1 with the shuttle 3 get to the starting position again and the entire cycle is repeated.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to a plurality of preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be expressly understood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such a plurality of embodiments, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for the transport of shuttles in looms with simultaneous picking of weft threads by means of an endless chain carrying the shuttles and traversing a fixed guide means, the improvement which comprises an endless chain formed by alternating joined carrier links carrying the shuttles and connecting links, means to drive the chain to cause it to travel through the guide means, a covering belt covering the parts of the chain, traversing the space of the weaving process, each of the shuttles being adapted for travelling along the covering belt by means of a vertical roller journalled in the carrier link opposite a recess of the shuttle and another roller disposed in the shuttle, and a disconnectable means provided on each shuttle for the joining of the shuttle with the respective carrier links.

2. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the disconnectable means comprise a shiftable conveyor accommodated in the carrier link and projecting by its inclined surface into an opening of the shuttle, the shuttle being provided with a recess in its lower part meshingwith a starting dgrtliide dis osed in the space of the weaving process an avmg 1 entering ends projecting out of it.

3. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the shiftable conveyor is arranged in the direction of the carrier link behind the vertical roller disposed on the carrier link.

4. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, comprising a resilient safety member fixed to the carrier link for selectively securing the shiftable conveyor.

5. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the vertical roller is vertically adjustable in the carrier link, in accordance with the entrance on the covering belt.

6. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 5, wherein the vertical roller is disposed in a rocking cradle of the carrier link supporting the shuttle, said cradle being provided with a pressur roll pressed against the bottom of the guide means by a pressure spring, said cradle being further provided with a thrust nose.

7. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 6, wherein one of the shuttle and the carrier link is provided with a security member for their interconnection in the guide path outside the space of the weaving process.

8. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 7, wherein in advance of the entrance into the space of the weaving process there is provided a lowered bottom in the bottom of the guide path for the pressure roller on the cradle, in order to let down the vertical roller in the carrier link.

9. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein for the connection of the carrier link with the shuttle there is provided a tunnel at the exit of the space of the weaving process, the height of said tunnel decreasing in the direction of the movement of the endless chain, while the lower part of the tunnel is formed by the said guide means.

10. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim I, wherein the carrier links and the guide links are connected by means of connecting pins on which a horizontal roller is seated to roll in the recess of the guide means.

11. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the guide means is generally of elliptical shape with spaced parallel straight portions and two arched parts at the ends of the straight portions, and comprising a fixing mechanism arranged in the arched parts of the guiding means, said fixing mechanism comprising swingable securing flaps radially disposed around the hub of the chain wheel and provided with control rollers, adjustable stops and adjustable springs, and a fixedly mounted half-circular bridge at the inner side of the guide means. 

1. In an apparatus for the transport of shuttles in looms with simultaneous picking of weft threads by means of an endless chain carrying the shuttles and traversing a fixed guide means, the improvement which comprises an endless chain formed by alternating joined carrier links carrying the shuttles and connecting links, means to drive the chain to cause it to travel through the guide means, a covering belt covering the parts of the chain, traversing the space of the weaving process, each of the shuttles being adapted for travelling along the covering belt by means of a vertical roller journalled in the carrier link opposite a recess of the shuttle and another roller disposed in the shuttle, and a disconnectable means provided on each shuttle for the joining of the shuttle with the respective carrier links.
 2. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the disconnectable means comprise a shiftable conveyor accommodated in the carrier link and projecting by its inclined surface into an opening of the shuttle, the shuttle being provided with a recess in its lower part meshing with a starting guide disposed in the space of the weaving process and having its entering ends projecting out of it.
 3. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the shiftable conveyor is arranged in the direction of the carrier link behind the vertical roller disposed on the carrier link.
 4. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, comprising a resilient safety member fixed to the carrier link for selectively securing the shiftable conveyor.
 5. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the vertical roller is vertically adjustable in the carrier link, in accordance with the entrance on the covering belt.
 6. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 5, wherein the vertical roller is disposed in a rocking cradle of the carrier link supporting the shuttle, said cradle being provided with a pressur roll pressed against the bottom of the guide means by a pressure spring, said cradle being further provided with a thrust nose.
 7. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 6, wherein one of the shuttle and the carrier link is provided with a security member for their interconnection in the guide path outside the space of the weaving process.
 8. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 7, wherein in advance of the entrance into the space of the weaving process there is provided a lowered bottom in the bottom of the guide path for the pressure roller on the cradle, in order to let down the vertical roller in the carrier link.
 9. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein for the connection of the carrier link with the shuttle there is provided a tunnel at the exit of the space of the weaving process, the height of said tunnel decreasing in the direction of the movement of the endless chain, while the lower part of the tunnel is formed by the said guide means.
 10. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the carrier links and the guide links are connected by means of connecting pins on which a horizontal roller is seated to roll in the recess of the guide means.
 11. Apparatus for the transport of shuttles as defined in claim 1, wherein the guide means is generally of elliptical shape with spaced parallel straight portions and two arched parts at the ends of the straight portions, and comprising a fixing mechanism arranged in the arched parts of the guiding means, said fixing mechanism comprising swingable securing flaps radially disposed around the hub of the chain wheel and provided with control rollers, adjustable stops and adjustable springs, and a fixedly mounted half-circular bridge at the inner side of the guide means. 